[zzdocxx]

Well maybe the cuts/styles/etc. could be in a comments column. Yeah that'd be cool if it was in a sortable spreadsheet, so fat guys like me could narrow it down to the fuller cuts, so to speak.

:icon_viking:

 

[kennyramone]

My two cents:

I've found the Joseph Abboud (USA made) to be a decent pick and I have seen them around for 3/400. I have two Victor pieces (Nordstrom co-branded) and find them good quality but shoulder heavy. Was at Woodbuy Common in NY and the Barney's store was full of their house branded suits (made by Victor, mostly with Loro Piana wool) and they seemed to be a bit better on the shoulders (and 3/400 on sale).

I haven't appreciated any JAB lines, and was pretty disappointed in the Sig Gold when I saw them recently in person.

 

[Mr. Mac]

Jack Victor makes a nice suit for the money. It's a true half canvas garment and the fabrics can be decent to suprisingly good. The model that makes it to most stores tends to have too big of a shoulder for my tastes. They have other models with softer shoulders that they use for seasonal sportcoats and such. Fabric and construction will be similar to BB SE. Fit and overall aesthetic (for a normal to thin person) will favor the BB SE.

Full line J.V. suits are a nice value. The L and V bodies are a little more traditional while the D and M bodies are modern, soft construction that is slimmer and more fitted.

I'd say a BB SE is more akin to an S. Cohen than a full line J.V.

 

[Steve Smith]

I have handled many BB SE suits and it is my opinion that they are underappreciated. Really some nice solid suits at a great price.

Concerning the BB 1818 suits, consider the upgraded Saxxon wool suits (adds $200 IIRC) for incredible bang for the buck. The ultrafine herringbone Saxxon in either Navy or Charcoal makes an interesting suit. An 1818 suit can have better fabric than a Golden Fleece suit.

All of these can be had new for less than $500, but not by ordering from BB.

 

[tower10]

I'm not sure that anybody has mentioned Banana Republic. I might get lambasted for mentioning them ha ha....but I own a navy suit from there that's pretty solid. The fit and fabric is surprisingly nice, and it's got a nice trim fit. I'd put it against the Hart Schaffner suit I own, which cost about 300 more than the Banana suit.

Also, has anyone had any experience with SuitSupply?

 

[raneyday]

New member, first post.

I think even at the $499 mark you have to include the HSM GT suits. I now own seven of them and have yet to pay more than $250 for one. They wear very well, hold their shape through several (misguided) cleanings, and always garner compliments. Every December Dillards runs a half off sale that turns into a half-of-half by the end of the month.

I love the tips I'm picking up on this site! I'm looking to go up one level and still score some discounts (Yes! I can afford BB).

And good shirts. I need lots and lots of good shirts. Lots.

--David

 

[jbierce]

This is a great thread; really useful to me since I'm a poor college student currently looking for a suit for campus interviews next semester.

What are your opinions on the best basic charcoal suit I could buy sub-$350?

I was going to go with M. Valentino from the Wiz, but maybe I should wait until after Christmas? Help please! Thanks :icon_smile:

 

[Mississippi]

You can get not-so-boxy Jack Victor. I think the line starts with "P" or something. I really do enjoy this company.
Latham Thomas MTM. $600+
HSM can be found at the Dillards annual half off sales. Suites for $500-$600.
If you are around suit high-flyers, ask around. Men like custom suits, you might be able to find some local guys who do MTM. We have a guy in our area who does house visits, no overhead so his suits are cheaper. Completely MTM, great fabric selection $700+. Probably would be $1200 anywhere with overhead.
Brooks is overpriced. JPress is okay if you're self conscious about your mid-section. I'm pretty sure some of their less expensive suits are HSM anyways.

 

[hockeyinsider]

This is a great thread; really useful to me since I'm a poor college student currently looking for a suit for campus interviews next semester.

What are your opinions on the best basic charcoal suit I could buy sub-$350?

I was going to go with M. Valentino from the Wiz, but maybe I should wait until after Christmas? Help please! Thanks :icon_smile:

Check out Jack Victor. You may even be able to get an S. Cohen made-to-measure for $350 to $400.

 

[hockeyinsider]

While out on Black Friday, I stopped in Club Monaco. I hadn't been in there in quite a while and was pleasantly surprised. Not only were several items made in America, but the quality and tailoring was very nice. They had a really nice soft blazer. I can't remember how much it cost, but it was quite nice. If you're under 40, you may want to stop in this shop.

 

[ezgoezit]

In the past I waited for one of the two semi-annual sales at Nordstroms and bought a Joseph Abboud suit on sale when I needed or wanted a new suit. I don't have a large clothing budget and I have a job where I move around a lot and so I need a suit that doesn't need to be pampered. The Abboud suits seem to fit the bill. Once I bought a nice RLPL from a reputable Ebay seller. There were no problems, the suit came, it was nice, I had it altered without any issues. It was obviously a nice suit, but it seemed to age ge faster than my other suits. I think some of the nicer suits are better suited for boardrooms than managers that walk around and are active all day long.

-
I think it was three years ago, I saw a sale at Brooks Brothers. They were selling two 1818 suits for $1000. I had to try that out. On sale, they were just a little more than I was paying for my other suits when I was buying them on sale as well. I bought four and those suits have serveed me extremely well. They are like night and day compared to other suits I have owned in the past. I also bought two pairs of the Peal & Co. cap toe buchers at 60% off. I haven't seen another sale as good as that one since, but they do come close now and then. I guess for me, it was about finding the right suit that matched my needs.

Ez

 

[jbierce]

I think it's coming down to The Wizard's M. Valentino vs. S. Cohen made-to-order. I think both are decent options, but do you think that the fact that The Wizs' is half-canvassed and S Cohen is fused should be the deciding factor?

Thanks!

 

[Thomas Martin]

I don't know if they are available outside Europe but the Swiss brand Strellson makes very nice suits with a good price/quality ratio.

https://www.strellson.com/

 

[zzdocxx]

Wiz is half-canvassed yet it is also fused.

 

[arkirshner]

I think it's coming down to The Wizard's M. Valentino vs. S. Cohen made-to-order. I think both are decent options, but do you think that the fact that The Wizs' is half-canvassed and S Cohen is fused should be the deciding factor?

Thanks!

While fit is the most important criteria in a suit, fabric is second, and construction is only third. Assuming your tailor can alter both suits to fit you, the deciding factor is fabric. With the Cohen made to order you will see and feel the fabrics at the store or tailor where you place your order. Ask the wiz to send you swatches. (He advertises his as 150s, and others here and at other sites have reported it is thin and easy to wrinkle). Compare fabrics and then choose. Disclosure- I have a MTO from Cohen, looks fine, nothing really special, but for less money than MTM, I was able to get a DB in a fabric that was not available at the time in RTW DBs.

 

[nolan50410]

I think it's coming down to The Wizard's M. Valentino vs. S. Cohen made-to-order. I think both are decent options, but do you think that the fact that The Wizs' is half-canvassed and S Cohen is fused should be the deciding factor?

Thanks!

The deciding factor is always fit. The wiz may be half canvassed but that means it is also half fused. Either way, you are getting a suit held together by fusibles. Unless you can afford full canvas garments, which are harder to find at discounts, then you need to worry about fit and not construction.

 

[Mute]

The Benjamin line of suits from eHaberdasher is better quality than all of the previously listed suits. I'd put them on par with RL Black Label.

 

[zzdocxx]

Disclosure- I have a MTO from Cohen, looks fine, nothing really special, but for less money than MTM, I was able to get a DB in a fabric that was not available at the time in RTW DBs.

AR I don't quite get the difference in MTM and MTO. Is MTO where you just tell them what standard size and fabric to make the suit? (Eg. 48L in Samuelsohn MTM 2.(

:icon_study:

 

[zzdocxx]

The Benjamin line of suits from eHaberdasher is better quality than all of the previously listed suits. I'd put them on par with RL Black Label.

That's interesting, I have vaguely hear of them before. But I see they say these suits are full canvassed, for $495. Is that what you were referring to in terms of the quality being better than the others mentioned?

I wonder if they are cut in sizes that are trim, full, or ? ? ?

 

[arkirshner]

AR I don't quite get the difference in MTM and MTO. Is MTO where you just tell them what standard size and fabric to make the suit? (Eg. 48L in Samuelsohn MTM 2.(

:icon_study:

In Made to Measure, the customer selects the fabric, and the style,( example- DB jacket, forward pleat pants ) the customer's measurement's are taken, the maker's stock jacket pattern closest to the customer's measurements is selected (same for pants), the pattern is altered to fit the customer's actual measurements (simple example-the length of the sleeve pattern is shortened or lengthened to the customer's actual sleeve length), the jacket and pants are cut from the altered pattern, the garment is sewn and delivered. If done properly the garment will need no, or very minor alterations.

In Made to Order, the customer selects the fabric and the style (example, single breasted peak lapel, athletic cut), the customer's measurements are taken, the maker's stock jacket and stock pants patterns are selected (eg. 41 L jacket, 34 R pants) but not altered, the fabric is cut,the garment is sewn and delivered. The garment will then need to be altered much the same as a ready to wear garment.

Essentially the difference is that a made to measure garment is altered before the fabric is cut, while a made to order garment is altered after it is sewn. Made to order is most practical if you do not require extensive alterations after purchasing ready to wear garments. It is also a way to get what are in effect separates eg. 40 jacket, 31 pants in fabrics not included in a standard separates line. Example, while solid and striped navy and grey suits are often available as separates, a blue glenplaid check with red overplaid is not. If you need separates, made to order jacket and pants in a blue glenplaid/red overplaid will allow you to get a suit that otherwise would not be available to you. MTO will also allow you to get a matching vest that may not be available through ready to wear.